Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica

Atlantic Tourist Attractions

The Atlantic Zone is extraordinary natural and cultural wealth allows for a wide range of activities including sport-fishing, diving, surfing, hiking, dolphin-viewing, boat tours, hikes, horseback riding, sea and river kayaking and more, in addition to direct contact with local cultures.

Reef Diving

The Reef Diving in the natural beauty of Cahuita and Puerto Vargas’ beaches is complemented by the largest fringing coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean. In addition, the reefs off Punta Cocles, Punta Uva, Manzanillo and Punta Mona provide ideal spots for exploring exotic underwater habitats that feature mollusks, sea fans, crustaceans, turtles and multicolored fish, as well as several species of coral (brain, moose- and deer-horn, fire, rose, lettuce and more).

Cahuita National Park

The Cahuita National Park is established as a national monument in 1970 and officially designated a national park in 1978, this wilderness area protects 2,636 acres of land, 1,482 acres of coral reef and 55,351 acres of marine territory. Its two main areas, Cahuita and Puerto Vargas feature highly scenic beaches as well as the largest fringing coral reef in the Atlantic Zone of Costa Rican. Various species of marine life may be seen here, including coral (brain, moose- and deer-horn, fire, rose and lettuce), mollusks, crustaceans, turtles, multicolored fish (angelfish, isabelitas, etc.) and many others.

Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

The Gandoca-Manzanillo Woldlife Refuge is located in Talamanca, this exquisite refuge stretches from the mouth of the Río Cocles near Puerto Viejo to the mouth of the Río Sixaola on the Panamanian border, and covers an area of 23,348 acres (10,962 marine and 12,386 land). Its highest point is the Manzanillo hills at 185 meters above sea level.
Its wooded floodplains and hills are home to tree species such as cativo, caobilla, yolillo palm, mangrove and mountain almond. Monkeys, crocodiles, peccaries, agoutis and other animals thrive in its lush tropical forests.

Cuisine: Delicious Caribbean Food

In Limón has enjoyed a rich culinary influence from diverse ethnic groups, the most representative of which are the Afro-Costa Rican and the Chinese, who, in addition to preparing foods in exotic ways, brought a large number of plants and tubers with them into the country. Traditional dishes include rice and beans, dokonú or “blue dress,” patí and plantintah, pan bon and socosí, among others.

Trail and Canopy Adventures

Trial and Canopy Adventures in many companies have developed facilities for enjoying nature-trail and canopy adventure activities including Samasati Biological Preserve and Yoga Center, and Terraventura Canopy (Río Carbón valley)

Tortuguero National Park

The Tortugero National Park is established in 1975, Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse wildlife areas. Featuring one of the most verdant landscapes in the country, the 65,000 acre park was created primarily to protect the western Caribbean’s most important green sea turtle nesting area.
The Tortuguero National Park owes its very wet tropical forest to the 5,000 to 6,000 millimeters of rain it receives per year. These climatic conditions are favorable to more than 400 tree species, 2,200 species of plants and more than 400 bird, 60 amphibian and 30 freshwater fish species, as well as several endangered animals, including tapirs, monkeys, ocelots, jaguars, manatees and sloths.